Fluid diversion mechanism for bodily-fluid sampling

ABSTRACT

An apparatus includes a housing, a fluid reservoir, a flow control mechanism, and an actuator. The housing defines an inner volume and has an inlet port that can be fluidically coupled to a patient and an outlet port. The fluid reservoir is disposed in the inner volume to receive and isolate a first volume of a bodily-fluid. The flow control mechanism is rotatable in the housing from a first configuration, in which a first lumen places the inlet port is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, and a second configuration, in which a second lumen places the inlet port in fluid communication with the outlet port. The actuator is configured to create a negative pressure in the fluid reservoir and is configured to rotate the flow control mechanism from the first configuration to the second configuration after the first volume of bodily-fluid is received in the fluid reservoir.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/854,273, filed Dec. 26, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,736,554, entitled“Fluid Diversion Mechanism For Bodily-Fluid Sampling,” which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/712,437, filed May14, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,433,779, entitled “Fluid DiversionMechanism For Bodily-Fluid Sampling,” which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/904,691, filed May 29, 2013, now U.S.Pat. No. 9,060,724, entitled “Fluid Diversion Mechanism For Bodily-FluidSampling,” which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/652,887, filed May 30, 2012, entitled, “FluidDiversion Mechanism for Bodily-Fluid Sampling,” the disclosure of eachof which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates generally to the parenteral procurement ofbodily-fluid samples, and more particularly to devices and methods forparenterally-procuring bodily-fluid samples with reduced contaminationfrom microbes or other contaminants exterior to the bodily-fluid source,such as dermally-residing microbes.

Health care practitioners routinely perform various types of microbialtests on patients using parenterally-obtained bodily-fluids. Patientsamples (e.g., bodily-fluids) are sometimes tested for the presence ofone or more potentially undesirable microbes, such as bacteria, fungi,or yeast (e.g., Candida). Microbial testing may include incubatingpatient samples in one or more sterile vessels containing culture mediathat is conducive to microbial growth. Generally, when microbes testedfor are present in the patient sample, the microbes flourish over timein the culture medium. After a pre-determined amount of time (e.g., afew hours to several days), the culture medium can be tested for thepresence of the microbes. The presence of microbes in the culture mediumsuggests the presence of the same microbes in the patient sample which,in turn, suggests the presence of the same microbes in the bodily-fluidof the patient from which the sample was obtained. Accordingly, whenmicrobes are determined to be present in the culture medium, the patientmay be prescribed one or more antibiotics or other treatmentsspecifically designed to treat or otherwise remove the undesiredmicrobes from the patient.

Patient samples, however, can sometimes become contaminated duringprocurement. One way in which contamination of a patient sample mayoccur is by the transfer of microbes from a bodily surface (e.g.,dermally-residing microbes) dislodged during needle insertion into apatient and subsequently transferred to a culture medium with thepatient sample. The bodily surface microbes may be dislodged eitherdirectly or via dislodged tissue fragments, hair follicles, sweat glandsand other adnexal structures. The transferred microbes may thrive in theculture medium and eventually yield a positive microbial test result,thereby falsely indicating the presence of such microbes in vivo. Suchinaccurate results are a concern when attempting to diagnose or treat asuspected illness or condition. For example, false positive results frommicrobial tests may result in the patient being unnecessarily subjectedto one or more anti-microbial therapies, which may cause serious sideeffects to the patient including, for example, death, as well as producean unnecessary burden and expense to the health care system.

As such, a need exists for improved bodily-fluid transfer devices andmethods that reduce microbial contamination in bodily-fluid testsamples.

SUMMARY

Devices for parenterally-procuring bodily-fluid samples with reducedcontamination from microbes exterior to the bodily-fluid source, such asdermally-residing microbes, are described herein. In some embodiments, adevice for procuring bodily-fluid samples from a patient includes ahousing, a fluid reservoir, a flow control mechanism, and an actuator.The housing includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion anddefines an inner volume therebetween. The housing has an inlet port thatis configured to be fluidically coupled to a patient and an outlet portthat is configured to be fluidically coupled to a sample reservoir. Thefluid reservoir is disposed within the inner volume of the housing andis configured to receive and isolate a first volume of a bodily-fluidwithdrawn from the patient. The flow control mechanism defines a firstlumen and a second lumen and is disposed in the housing for rotationalmovement from a first configuration, in which the inlet port is placedin fluid communication with the fluid reservoir such that thebodily-fluid can flow from the inlet port, through the first lumen, andto the fluid reservoir, to a second configuration, in which the inletport is placed in fluid communication with the outlet port such that thebodily-fluid can flow from the inlet, through the second lumen and tothe outlet port. The actuator is configured to create a negativepressure in the fluid reservoir when actuated by a user. The actuator isoperably coupled to the flow control mechanism and is configured torotate the flow control mechanism from the first configuration to thesecond configuration after the first volume of bodily-fluid is receivedin the fluid reservoir from the patient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a bodily-fluid transfer deviceaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a bodily-fluid transfer device according to anembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bodily-fluid transfer device of FIG.2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the bodily-fluid transfer device of FIG.2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a housing included in the bodily-fluidtransfer device illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the housing illustrated in FIG. 5taken along the line X₂-X₂.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a diverter included in the bodily-fluidtransfer device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the diverter illustrated in FIG. 8taken along the line X₃-X₃.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a flow control mechanism included in thebodily-fluid transfer device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of an actuator mechanism included in thebodily-fluid transfer device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the bodily-fluid transfer device ofFIG. 2 taken along the line X₁-X₁, in a first configuration.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the bodily-fluid transfer device ofFIG. 2 taken along the line X₁-X₁, in a second configuration.

FIG. 13 is a front view of a bodily-fluid transfer device according toan embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the bodily-fluid transfer device ofFIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the bodily-fluid transfer device of FIG.13.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a housing included in thebodily-fluid transfer device of FIG. 13 taken along the line X₅-X₅ inFIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the bodily-fluid transfer devicetaken along the line X₄-X₄ in FIG. 14, in a first configuration.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the bodily-fluid transfer device ofFIG. 13, in a second configuration.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the bodily-fluid transfer device ofFIG. 18 taken along the line X₆-X₆.

FIG. 20 is a front view of a bodily-fluid transfer device according toan embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the bodily-fluid transfer device ofFIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is an exploded view of the bodily-fluid transfer device of FIG.20.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of a housing included in thebodily-fluid transfer device of FIG. 20 taken along the line X₈-X₈ inFIG. 21.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a first control member and a secondcontrol member included in a flow control mechanism of the bodily-fluidtransfer device of FIG. 20.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the bodily-fluid transfer device ofFIG. 20 taken along the line X₇-X₇ in FIG. 21, in a first configuration.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the bodily-fluid transfer device ofFIG. 20, in a second configuration.

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the bodily-fluid transfer device ofFIG. 25 taken along the line X₉-X₉.

FIGS. 28 and 29 schematic illustrations of a bodily-fluid transferdevice according to an embodiment, in a first and second configuration,respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Devices for parenterally procuring bodily-fluid samples with reducedcontamination from microbes exterior to the bodily-fluid source, such asdermally-residing microbes, are described herein. In some embodiments, adevice for procuring bodily-fluid samples from a patient includes ahousing, a fluid reservoir, a flow control mechanism, and an actuator.The housing includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion anddefines an inner volume therebetween. The housing has an inlet port thatis configured to be fluidically coupled to a patient and an outlet portthat is configured to be fluidically coupled to a sample reservoir. Thefluid reservoir is disposed within the inner volume of the housing andis configured to receive and isolate a first volume of a bodily-fluidwithdrawn from the patient. The flow control mechanism defines a firstlumen and a second lumen and is disposed in the housing for rotationalmovement from a first configuration, in which the inlet port is placedin fluid communication with the fluid reservoir such that thebodily-fluid can flow from the inlet port, through the first lumen, andto the fluid reservoir, to a second configuration, in which the inletport is placed in fluid communication with the outlet port such that thebodily-fluid can flow from the inlet, through the second lumen and tothe outlet port. The actuator is configured to create a negativepressure in the fluid reservoir when actuated by a user. The actuator isoperably coupled to the flow control mechanism and is configured torotate the flow control mechanism from the first configuration to thesecond configuration after the first volume of bodily-fluid is receivedin the fluid reservoir from the patient.

In some embodiments, a device for procuring bodily-fluid samples from apatient includes a housing, an actuator, a diverter, and a flow controlmechanism. The housing has a proximal end portion and a distal endportion and defines an inner volume therebetween. The actuator ismovably disposed in the housing. The actuator includes a sealing memberand a fluid reservoir defined, at least in part, by the sealing member.The actuator is configured to create a negative pressure in the fluidreservoir when actuated by a user. The diverter is disposed in thehousing and has an inlet port that is configured to be fluidicallycoupled to the patient, a first outlet port that is configured to befluidically coupled to the fluid reservoir, and a second outlet portthat is configured to be fluidically coupled to a sample reservoir. Theflow control mechanism defines a first lumen and a second lumen. Theflow control mechanism is disposed in the diverter and is rotatable froma first configuration, in which the inlet port is placed in fluidcommunication with the first outlet port such that bodily-fluid can flowfrom the inlet port, through the first lumen and to the first outletport, to a second configuration, in which the inlet port is placed influid communication with the second outlet port such that thebodily-fluid can flow from the inlet, through the second lumen and tothe second outlet port.

In some embodiments, a device for procuring bodily-fluid samples from apatient includes a housing, a flow control mechanism, and an actuator.The housing has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion anddefines an inner volume therebetween. The housing has an inlet portconfigured to be fluidically coupled to the patient and an outlet portconfigured to be fluidically coupled to a sample reservoir. The flowcontrol mechanism defines a first lumen and a second lumen. The flowcontrol mechanism is disposed in the housing and is rotatable between afirst configuration, in which the inlet port is placed in fluidcommunication with a fluid reservoir defined, at least in part, by thehousing such that bodily-fluid can flow from the inlet port, through thefirst lumen and to the fluid reservoir, to a second configuration, inwhich the inlet port is placed in fluid communication with the outletport such that the bodily-fluid can flow from the inlet, through thesecond lumen and to the outlet port. The actuator is movably disposed inthe housing and is operably coupled to the flow control mechanism. Theactuator is configured to create a negative pressure in the fluidreservoir when actuated by the user. The actuator is further configuredto rotate the flow control mechanism from the first configuration to thesecond configuration after a first volume of bodily-fluid is received inthe fluid reservoir from the patient.

In some embodiments, a device for procuring bodily-fluid samples from apatient includes a housing, a seal member, a fluid reservoir, a flowcontrol mechanism, and an actuator. The housing has a proximal endportion and a distal end portion and defines an inner volumetherebetween. The housing has an inlet port configured to be fluidicallycoupled to the patient. The seal member is movably disposed in the innervolume and is configured to define, at least partially, the fluidreservoir disposed in the inner volume. The fluid reservoir isconfigured to receive and isolate a first volume of bodily-fluidwithdrawn from the patient. The flow control mechanism is movablydisposed in the housing and is configured to move between a firstconfiguration, in which the bodily-fluid can flow from the inlet port,through the flow control mechanism and to the fluid reservoir, to asecond configuration, in which the fluid reservoir is fluidicallyisolated from the inlet port. The actuator is operably coupled to theseal member and the flow control mechanism. The actuator includes aspring configured to move the seal member from a first position to asecond position to create a negative pressure in the fluid reservoir.The actuator is configured to move the flow control mechanism from thefirst configuration to the second configuration after a first volume ofbodily-fluid is received in the fluid reservoir from the patient.

In some embodiments, a device for procuring bodily-fluid samples from apatient includes a housing, a flow control mechanism, and an actuator.The housing has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion anddefines an inner volume therebetween. The housing has an inlet portconfigured to be fluidically coupled to the patient and an outlet portconfigured to be fluidically coupled to a sample reservoir. The flowcontrol mechanism is disposed in the housing and includes a firstcontrol member and a second control member. The second control memberdefines a first lumen and a second lumen and is rotatably movablebetween a first configuration, in which the inlet port is placed influid communication with a fluid reservoir defined, at least in part, bythe housing such that bodily-fluid can flow from the inlet port, throughthe first lumen and to the fluid reservoir, to a second configuration,in which the inlet port is placed in fluid communication with the outletport such that the bodily-fluid can flow from the inlet, through thesecond lumen and to the outlet port. The actuator is movably disposed inthe housing and is operably coupled to the flow control mechanism. Theactuator is configured to create a negative pressure in the fluidreservoir when actuated by the user. The actuator is further configuredto rotate the second control member from the first configuration to thesecond configuration after a first volume of bodily-fluid is received inthe fluid reservoir from the patient.

In some embodiments, a device for procuring bodily-fluid samples from apatient includes a diverter, a flow control mechanism, and an actuatormechanism. The diverter defines an inlet port, a first outlet port, anda second outlet port. The first outlet port is fluidically coupled to afirst fluid reservoir and the second outlet port is fluidically coupledto a second reservoir, fluidically isolated from the first fluidreservoir. The flow control mechanism is configured to be disposed, atleast partially within the diverter. The actuator mechanism isconfigured to engage the flow control mechanism to move the flow controlmechanism between a first configuration, in which a flow of bodily-fluidcan enter the first fluid reservoir, and a second configuration, inwhich a flow of bodily-fluid can enter the second fluid reservoir.

In some embodiments, a bodily-fluid transfer device can be configured toselectively divert a first, predetermined amount of a flow of abodily-fluid to a first reservoir before permitting the flow of a secondamount of the bodily-fluid into a second reservoir. In this manner, thesecond amount of bodily-fluid can be used for diagnostic or othertesting, while the first amount of bodily-fluid, which may containmicrobes from a bodily surface, is isolated from the bodily-fluid to betested. The first amount of bodily-fluid can be subsequently used fordifferent types of testing (e.g., CBC, other blood chemistry tests) orcan be simply sequestered.

In some embodiments, a bodily-fluid transfer device is configured toautomatically move from a first configuration to a second configuration,for example, without requiring an input or other action by a health carepractitioner. In some embodiments, the bodily-fluid transfer deviceprevents bodily-fluid from flowing or otherwise being introduced into asecond reservoir before at least a first amount of bodily-fluid (e.g., apredetermined amount) is first introduced into a first reservoir.

As used in this specification, “bodily-fluid” can include any fluidobtained from a body of a patient, including, but not limited to, blood,cerebrospinal fluid, urine, bile, lymph, saliva, synovial fluid, serousfluid, pleural fluid, amniotic fluid, and the like, or any combinationthereof.

As used herein, the term “set” can refer to multiple features or asingular feature with multiple parts. For example, when referring to setof walls, the set of walls can be considered as one wall with distinctportions, or the set of walls can be considered as multiple walls.Similarly stated, a monolithically constructed item can include a set ofwalls. Such a set of walls can include, for example, multiple portionsthat are in discontinuous from each other. A set of walls can also befabricated from multiple items that are produced separately and arelater joined together (e.g., via a weld, an adhesive or any suitablemethod).

As used herein, the words “proximal” and “distal” refer to the directioncloser to and away from, respectively, a user who would place the deviceinto contact with a patient. Thus, for example, the end of a devicefirst touching the body of the patient would be the distal end, whilethe opposite end of the device (e.g., the end of the device beingmanipulated by the user) would be the proximal end of the device.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include pluralreferents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, forexample, the term “an engagement surface” is intended to mean a singlesurface or multiple surfaces unless explicitly expressed otherwise.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a portion of a bodily-fluidtransfer device 100, according to an embodiment. Generally, thebodily-fluid transfer device 100 (also referred to herein as “fluidtransfer device” or “transfer device”) is configured to permit thewithdrawal of bodily-fluid from a patient such that a first portion oramount of the withdrawn fluid is diverted away from a second portion oramount of the withdrawn fluid that is to be used as a biological sample,such as for testing for the purpose of medical diagnosis and/ortreatment. In other words, the transfer device 100 is configured totransfer a first, predetermined amount of a bodily-fluid to a firstcollection reservoir and a second amount of bodily-fluid to one or morebodily-fluid collection reservoirs fluidically isolated from the firstcollection reservoir, as described in more detail herein.

The transfer device 100 includes a diverter 120, a first reservoir 170,and a second reservoir 180, different from the first reservoir 170. Thediverter 120 includes an inlet port 122 and two or more outlet ports,such as a first outlet port 124 and a second outlet port 126 shown inFIG. 1. The inlet port 122 is configured to be fluidically coupled to amedical device defining a pathway P for withdrawing and/or conveying thebodily-fluid from the patient to the transfer device 100. For example,the inlet port 122 can be fluidically coupled to a needle or otherlumen-containing device (e.g., flexible sterile tubing). In this manner,the diverter 120 can receive the bodily-fluid from the patient via theneedle or other lumen-containing device.

The first outlet port 124 of the diverter 120 is configured to befluidically coupled to the first reservoir 170. In some embodiments, thefirst reservoir 170 is monolithically formed with the first outlet port124 and/or a portion of the diverter 120. In other embodiments, thefirst reservoir 170 can be mechanically and fluidically coupled to thediverter 120 via an adhesive, a resistance fit, a mechanical fastener,any number of mating recesses, a threaded coupling, and/or any othersuitable coupling or combination thereof. Similarly stated, the firstreservoir 170 can be physically (e.g., mechanically) coupled to thediverter 120 such that an interior volume defined by the first reservoir170 is in fluid communication with the first outlet port 120 of thediverter 120. In still other embodiments, the first reservoir 170 can beoperably coupled to the first outlet port 124 of the diverter 120 via anintervening structure (not shown in FIG. 1), such as a flexible steriletubing. More particularly, the intervening structure can define a lumenconfigured to place the first reservoir 170 in fluid communication withthe first outlet port 124.

The first reservoir 170 is configured to receive and contain the first,predetermined amount of the bodily-fluid. In some embodiments, the firstreservoir 170 is configured to contain the first amount of thebodily-fluid such that the first amount is fluidically isolated from asecond amount of the bodily-fluid (different from the first amount ofbodily-fluid) that is subsequently withdrawn from the patient. The firstreservoir 170 can be any suitable reservoir for containing abodily-fluid, such as a pre-sample reservoir described in detail in U.S.Pat. No. 8,197,420 (“the '420 patent”), the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety. As used in thisspecification, the terms “first, predetermined amount” and “firstamount” describe an amount of bodily-fluid configured to be received orcontained by the first reservoir 170. Furthermore, while the term “firstamount” does not explicitly describe a predetermined amount, it shouldbe understood that the first amount is the first, predetermined amountunless explicitly described differently.

The second outlet port 126 of the diverter 120 is configured to befluidically coupled to the second reservoir 180. In some embodiments,the second reservoir 180 is monolithically formed with the second outletport 126 and/or a portion of the diverter 120. In other embodiments, thesecond reservoir 180 can be mechanically coupled to the second outletport 126 of the diverter 120 or operably coupled to the second outletport 126 via an intervening structure (not shown in FIG. 1), such asdescribed above with reference to the first reservoir 170. The secondreservoir 180 is configured to receive and contain the second amount ofthe bodily-fluid. For example, the second amount of bodily-fluid can bean amount withdrawn from the patient subsequent to withdrawal of thefirst amount. In some embodiments, the second reservoir 180 isconfigured to contain the second amount of the bodily-fluid such thatthe second amount is fluidically isolated from the first amount of thebodily-fluid.

The second reservoir 170 can be any suitable reservoir for containing abodily-fluid, including, for example, a sample reservoir as described inthe '420 patent incorporated by reference above. As used in thisspecification, the term “second amount” describes an amount ofbodily-fluid configured to be received or contained by the secondreservoir 180. In some embodiments, the second amount can be anysuitable amount of bodily-fluid and need not be predetermined. In otherembodiments, the second amount received and contained by the secondreservoir 180 is a second predetermined amount.

In some embodiments, the first reservoir 170 and the second reservoir180 can be coupled to (or formed with) the diverter 120 in a similarmanner. In other embodiments, the first reservoir 170 and the secondreservoir need not be similarly coupled to the diverter 120. Forexample, in some embodiments, the first reservoir 170 can bemonolithically formed with the diverter 120 (e.g., the first outlet port124) and the second reservoir 180 can be operably coupled to thediverter 120 (e.g., the second outlet port 126) via an interveningstructure, such as a flexible sterile tubing.

As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer device 100 further includes an actuator140 and a flow control mechanism 130 defining a first channel 138 and asecond channel 139. In some embodiments, the actuator 140 can beincluded in or otherwise operably coupled to the diverter 120. In thismanner, the actuator 140 can be configured to control a movement of theflow control mechanism 130 (e.g., between a first configuration and asecond configuration). For example, the actuator 140 can be movablebetween a first position corresponding to the first configuration of theflow control mechanism 130, and a second position, different from thefirst position, corresponding to the second configuration of the flowcontrol mechanism 130. In some embodiments, the actuator 140 isconfigured for uni-directional movement. For example, the actuator 140can be moved from its first position to its second position, but cannotbe moved from its second position to its first position. In this manner,the flow control mechanism 130 is prevented from being moved to itssecond configuration before its first configuration, thus requiring thatthe first amount of the bodily-fluid be directed to the first reservoir170 and not the second reservoir 180.

The flow control mechanism 130 is configured such that when in the firstconfiguration, the first channel 138 fluidically couples the inlet port122 to the first outlet port 124 and when in the second configuration,the second channel 139 fluidically couples the inlet portion 122 to thesecond outlet port 126. In some embodiments, the actuator 140 is coupledto the flow control mechanism 130 and is configured to move the flowcontrol mechanism 130 in a translational motion between the firstconfiguration and the second configuration. For example, in someembodiments, the flow control mechanism 130 can be in the firstconfiguration when the flow control mechanism 130 is in a distalposition relative to the transfer device 100. In such embodiments, theactuator 140 can be actuated to move the flow control device 130 in theproximal direction to a proximal position relative to the transferdevice 100, thereby placing the flow control mechanism 130 in the secondconfiguration. In other embodiments, the actuator 140 can be actuated tomove the flow control mechanism 130 in a rotational motion between thefirst configuration and the second configuration.

Accordingly, when the flow control mechanism 130 is in the firstconfiguration, the second outlet port 126 is fluidically isolated fromthe inlet port 122. Similarly, when the flow control mechanism 130 is inthe second configuration, the first outlet port 124 is fluidicallyisolated from the inlet port 122. In this manner, the flow controlmechanism 130 can direct, or divert the first amount of the bodily-fluidto the first reservoir 170 via the first outlet port 124 when the flowcontrol mechanism 130 is in the first configuration and can direct, ordivert the second amount of the bodily-fluid to the second reservoir 180via the second outlet port 126 when the flow control mechanism 130 is inthe second configuration.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the actuator 140 can beoperably coupled to the first reservoir 170. In this manner, theactuator 140 (or at least the portion of the actuator 140) can beconfigured to cause a vacuum within the first reservoir 170, therebyinitiating flow of the bodily-fluid through the transfer device 100 andinto the first reservoir 170 when the diverter 120 is in its firstconfiguration. The actuator 140 can include any suitable mechanism foractuating the transfer device 100 (e.g., at least the flow controlmechanism 130), such as, for example, a rotating disc, a plunger, aslide, a dial, a button, and/or any other suitable mechanism orcombination thereof. Examples of suitable actuators are described inmore detail herein with reference to specific embodiments.

In some embodiments, the diverter 120 is configured such that the firstamount of bodily-fluid need be conveyed to the first reservoir 170before the diverter 120 will permit the flow of the second amount ofbodily-fluid to be conveyed through the diverter 120 to the secondreservoir 180. In this manner, the diverter 120 can be characterized asrequiring compliance by a health care practitioner regarding thecollection of the first, predetermined amount (e.g., a pre-sample) priorto a collection of the second amount (e.g., a sample) of bodily-fluid.Similarly stated, the diverter 120 can be configured to prevent a healthcare practitioner from collecting the second amount, or the sample, ofbodily-fluid into the second reservoir 180 without first diverting thefirst amount, or pre-sample, of bodily-fluid to the first reservoir 170.In this manner, the health care practitioner is prevented from including(whether intentionally or unintentionally) the first amount ofbodily-fluid, which is more likely to contain bodily surface microbesand/or other undesirable external contaminants that are notrepresentative of the in vivo conditions of a patient's bodily-fluidsystem, in the bodily-fluid sample to be used for analysis. Theforced-compliance aspect of the diverter 120 is described in more detailherein with reference to specific embodiments.

In some embodiments, the diverter 120 is configured to automatically(i.e., without requiring an input or other action by a health carepractitioner or other operator of the transfer device 100) fluidicallyisolate the inlet port 122 from the first outlet port 124. For example,the diverter 120 can be configured such that the flow control mechanism130 will automatically fluidically isolate the first outlet port 124from the inlet port 122 when the first reservoir 170 has received thefirst, predetermined amount of bodily-fluid. As such, additional flow ofbodily-fluid in excess of the first amount into the first reservoir 170is prevented. In some embodiments, the diverter 120 is configured suchthat the flow control mechanism 130 automatically moves from its firstconfiguration to its second configuration after the first amount ofbodily-fluid is conveyed to the first reservoir 170.

In some embodiments, the actuator 140 can have a third position,different from the first and second positions, which corresponds to athird configuration of the flow control mechanism 130. When in the thirdconfiguration, the flow control mechanism 130 can fluidically isolatethe inlet port 122 from both the first outlet port 124 and the secondoutlet port 126 simultaneously. Therefore, when the flow controlmechanism 130 is in its third configuration, flow of bodily-fluid fromthe inlet port 122 to either the first reservoir 170 or the secondreservoir 180 is prevented. In use, for example, the actuator 140 can beactuated to place the flow control mechanism 130 in the firstconfiguration such that a bodily-fluid can flow from the inlet port 122to the first reservoir 170, then moved to the second configuration suchthat the bodily-fluid can flow from the inlet port 122 to the secondreservoir 180, then moved to the third configuration to stop the flow ofbodily-fluid into and/or through the diverter 120. In some embodiments,the flow control mechanism 130 can be moved to the third configurationbetween the first configuration and the second configuration. In someembodiments, the flow control mechanism 130 can be in the thirdconfiguration before being moved to either of the first configuration orthe second configuration.

In some embodiments, one or more portions of the transfer device 100 aredisposed within a housing (not shown in FIG. 1). For example, in someembodiments, at least a portion of one or more of the diverter 120, thefirst reservoir 170, and the actuator 140 can be disposed within thehousing. In such an embodiment, at least a portion of the actuator 140is accessible through the housing. Examples of suitable housings aredescribed in more detail herein with reference to specific embodiments.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-12, a transfer device 200 includes a housing201, a diverter 220, a flow control mechanism 230, and an actuator 240.The transfer device 200 can be any suitable shape, size, orconfiguration. For example, while shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 as beingsubstantially cylindrical, the transfer device 200 can be square,rectangular, polygonal, and/or any other non-cylindrical shape.

The housing 201 includes a proximal end portion 202 and a distal endportion 203. The distal end portion 203 includes a base 206 from which aset of walls 204 extend. More specifically, the walls 204 of the housing201 define a substantially annular shape and define an inner volume 211therebetween. The proximal end portion 202 of the housing 201 isconfigured to be open such that the inner volume 211 can receive atleast a portion of the diverter 220, a portion of the flow controlmechanism 230, and a portion of the actuator 240 (FIG. 4). Similarlystated, the housing 201 is configured to house at least the portion ofthe diverter 220, the portion of the flow control mechanism 230, and theportion of the actuator 240

The walls 204 of the housing 201 define a set of status windows 210 anda set of channels 205. The status windows 210 can be any suitable shapeor size and are configured to allow a user to visually inspect at leasta portion of the transfer device 200. While shown in FIG. 5 as includingtwo status windows 210, in other embodiments, the housing 201 can defineany number of status windows 210, such as, for example, one, three,four, or more. The channels 205 defined by the housing 201 areconfigured to extend from the distal end portion 203 and through theproximal end portion 202. Similarly stated, the channels 205 extendthrough a proximal surface of the housing 201. Said yet another way, thechannels 205 are open ended at the proximal end portion 202 of thehousing 201.

The housing 201 further includes a set of guide posts 207 and a set offlow control protrusions 208. While shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 ascylindrical protrusions, the guide posts 207 can be any suitable shapeor size and are configured to extend from the base 206 in the proximaldirection. In this manner, the guide posts 207 are configured to engagea portion of the diverter 220 and a portion of the actuator 240, asfurther described herein. The flow control protrusions 208 extend fromthe base 206 in the proximal direction and define notches 209. In thismanner, the flow control protrusions 208 are configured to selectivelyengage the flow control mechanism 230 to move the flow control mechanism230 between a first configuration and a second configuration, asdescribed in further detail herein. While only one flow controlprotrusion 208 is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the housing 201 is configuredto include two flow control protrusions 208. In other embodiments, thehousing 201 can include any number flow control protrusions 208 such asfor example, one, three, four, or more.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the diverter 220 includes a proximal endportion 228 and a distal end portion 229 and defines an inner volume221. The inner volume 221 is configured to receive at least a portion ofthe flow control mechanism 230, as further described herein. Theproximal end portion 228 of the diverter 220 includes a first outletport 224 and can engage a portion of the actuator 240. The distal endportion 229 includes an inlet port 222 and a second outlet port 226. Asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the diverter 220 is disposed within the innervolume 211 of the housing 201 such that a portion of the inlet port 222extends through a first channel 205 defined by the walls 204 of thehousing 201 and a portion of the second outlet port 226 extends througha second channel 205 opposite the first channel. While not explicitlyshown in FIGS. 2-12, the distal end portion 229 of the diverter 220 isconfigured to engage the guide posts 207 such that lateral movement ofthe diverter 220 is limited. Similarly stated, the distal end portion229 of the diverter 220 can engage the guide posts 207 of the housing201 such that the diverter 220 is substantially limited to movement inthe proximal or distal direction, relative to the housing 201, asfurther described herein.

The inlet port 222 included in the distal end portion 229 of thediverter 220 defines an inlet lumen 223. As shown in FIG. 8, the inletlumen 223 is configured to be in fluid communication with the innervolume 221. Similarly stated, the inlet lumen 223 of the inlet port 222extends through a wall defining the inner volume 221 of the diverter220. The inlet port 222 is further configured to be fluidically coupledto a medical device (not shown) defining a fluid flow pathway forwithdrawing and/or conveying the bodily-fluid from a patient to thetransfer device 200. For example, the inlet port 222 can be fluidicallycoupled to a needle or other lumen-containing device (e.g., flexiblesterile tubing). Similarly stated, the inlet lumen 223 defined by theinlet port 222 is placed in fluid communication with a lumen defined bya lumen-containing device, when the lumen-containing device is coupledto the inlet port 222. Expanding further, when the lumen-containingdevice is disposed within a portion of a body of the patient (e.g.,within a vein of the patient), the inner volume 221 of the diverter 220is placed in fluid communication with the portion of the body of thepatient.

The first outlet port 224 included in the proximal end portion 228 ofthe diverter 220 defines a first outlet lumen 225. As shown in FIG. 8,the first outlet lumen 225 is configured to be in fluid communicationwith the inner volume 221 of the diverter 220 (e.g., the first outletlumen 225 extends through the wall defining the inner volume 221).Similarly, the second outlet port 226 included in the distal end portion229 of the diverter 220 defines a second outlet lumen 227 in fluidcommunication with the inner volume 221.

As shown in FIG. 9, the flow control mechanism 230 includes a firstcontrol member 231 and a second control member 235. At least a portionof the flow control mechanism 230 is configured to be disposed withinthe inner volume 221 defined by the diverter 220. In this manner, theflow control mechanism 230 defines a circular cross-sectional shape suchthat when the flow control mechanism 230 is disposed within the innervolume 221, a portion of the flow control mechanism 230 forms a frictionfit with the walls of the diverter 220 defining the inner volume 221, asdescribed in further detail herein.

The first control member 231 includes a set of activation protrusions232 and a set of cross members 234 (only one of each is shown in FIG.9). The activation protrusions 232 are configured to engage the flowcontrol protrusion 208 of the housing 201. More specifically, theactivation protrusions 232 can be disposed within the notch 209 definedby the flow control protrusion 208. Therefore, in use, the flow controlprotrusions 208 can engage the activation protrusions 232 to move theflow control mechanism 230 between a first configuration and a secondconfiguration.

The second control member 235 defines a first lumen 238, a second lumen239, and a set of channels 237 and is configured to be disposed, atleast partially, within the first control member 231. More particularly,the first control member 231 has a first diameter D₁ and the secondcontrol member 235 has a second diameter D₂ larger than the firstdiameter D₁. Therefore, when the second control member 235 is disposedwithin the first control member 231 a portion of the second controlmember 235 extends beyond a surface of the first control member 231 thatdefines the first diameter D₁.

The channels 237 defined by the second control member 235 receive thecross members 234 of the first control member 231. The arrangement ofthe cross members 234 disposed within the channels 237 is such that thesecond control member 235 is maintained in a desired position relativeto the first control member 231. In this manner, the second controlmember 235 is configured to move concurrently with the first controlmember 231 when the flow control protrusions 208 engage the activationprotrusions 232 of the first control member 231. Similarly stated, theflow control mechanism 230 is moved between the first configuration andthe second configuration when the first control member 231 and thesecond control member 235 are moved between the first configuration andthe second configuration, respectively. Furthermore, when the flowcontrol mechanism 230 is in the first configuration, the first lumen 238is placed in fluid communication with the inlet lumen 223 defined by theinlet port 222 and the first outlet lumen 225 defined by the firstoutlet port 224. When the flow control mechanism 230 is in the secondconfiguration, the second lumen 239 is placed in fluid communicationwith the inlet lumen 223 defined by the inlet port 222 and the secondoutlet lumen 227 defined by the second outlet port 226, as described infurther detail herein.

As shown in FIG. 10, the actuator mechanism 240 includes an actuatorhousing 262, a plunger 248, a cap 255, and a spring 261. The actuatormechanism 240 is configured to move between a first configuration and asecond configuration, thereby moving the transfer device 200 between afirst configuration and a second configuration, as described in furtherdetail herein. The actuator housing 262 includes a proximal end portion263 and a distal end portion 264 and defines an inner volume 265. Theactuator housing 262 can be any suitable shape, size or configuration.For example, the actuator housing 262 can be substantially cylindricaland be configured to be disposed, at least partially, within the housing201. The inner volume 265 is configured to receive the plunger 248, thespring 261, and at least a portion of the cap 255. The plunger 248includes a proximal end portion 249 and a distal end portion 249 and aside wall 251. The distal end portion 250 is configured to receive theguide posts 207 of the housing 201, as described in further detailherein. The proximal end portion 249 includes a set of retention tabs253 and can receive a portion of the spring 261. More particularly, theretention tabs 253 included in the proximal end portion 249 of theplunger 248 are configured to engage the spring 261 to removably couplethe spring 261 to the plunger 248.

The side wall 251 of the plunger 248 define a set of notches 252configured to receive a set of seal members 254. The seal members 254can be any suitable seal members 254 such as for example, o-rings formedfrom any suitable elastomeric material. In this manner, the plunger 248is disposed within the inner volume 265 of the actuator housing 262 suchthat the seal members 254 define a friction fit with the inner walls(not shown in FIG. 10) that define the inner volume 265 of the actuatorhousing 262. Similarly stated, the seal members 254 define a fluidicseal with the inner walls of the actuator housing 262. Furthermore, theplunger 248 is disposed within the inner volume 265 such that theplunger 248 divides the inner volume 265 into a first portion 267 thatis fluidically isolated from a second portion 270 (see e.g., FIGS. 11and 12). The first portion 267 of the inner volume 265 is definedbetween a surface of the proximal end portion 263 of the actuatorhousing 262 and the proximal end portion 249 of the plunger 248. Assuch, the first portion 267 of the inner volume 265 is configuredcontain the spring 261 such that the spring 261 is in contact with thesurface of the proximal end portion 263 of the actuator housing 262 andthe proximal end portion 249 of the plunger 248.

The cap 255 can be any suitable shape or size and is configured to bedisposed, at least partially, within the inner volume 265 of theactuator housing 262. Furthermore, the cap 255 can be formed from anysuitable material. For example, in some embodiments, the cap 255 isformed from an elastomeric material such as silicone. In otherembodiments, the cap 255 can be formed from any polymeric material suchas, for example, rubber, vinyl, neoprene, or the like.

The cap 255 includes a proximal end portion 256 and a distal end portion257. The proximal end portion 256 is disposed within the inner volume265 of the actuator housing 262 such that the distal end portion 250 ofthe plunger 248 and the proximal end portion 256 of the cap defines thesecond portion 270 of the inner volume (referred to henceforth as “firstreservoir”) of the inner volume 265. Expanding further, the proximal endportion 256 of the cap 255 is configured to define a friction fit withthe inner walls (not shown in FIG. 10) that define the inner volume 265.Similarly stated, the proximal end portion 254 defines a fluidic sealwith the inner walls of the actuator housing 262. Therefore, the fluidicseal defined by the actuator housing 262 and the plunger 248 and thefluidic seal defined by the actuator housing 262 and the proximal endportion 256 of the cap 255 fluidically isolate the fluid reservoir 270from a portion outside of the fluid reservoir 270 (i.e., the secondportion of the inner volume 265).

The distal end portion 257 of the cap 255 includes a set of notches 260configured to receive a set of protrusions 266 of the actuator housing262 when the proximal end portion 256 is disposed within the innervolume 265. The arrangement of the notches 260 defined by the cap 255and the protrusions 266 of the actuator housing 262 is such that theprotrusions 266 form a friction fit with the walls defining the notches260. In this manner, the protrusions 266 engage the walls defining thenotches 260 to maintain the cap 255 in a desired position relative tothe actuator housing 262 when the proximal end portion 256 is disposedwithin the inner volume 265. Moreover, the actuator mechanism 240 andthe diverter 220 are disposed within the housing 201 such that thedistal end portion 257 of the cap 255 is in contact with the proximalend portion 228 of the diverter 220, as described in further detailherein.

The cap 255 further defines an inlet port 258 and a set of guide postports 259. The inlet port 258 is configured to receive a portion of thefirst outlet port 224 included in the diverter 220. More specifically,the inlet port 258 receives the first outlet port 224 such that theinlet port 258 form a fluidic seal with an outer surface of the firstoutlet port 224. Similarly, the guide post ports 259 receive a portionof the guide posts 207 of the housing 201 such that the guide post ports259 form a fluidic seal with an outer surface of the guide posts 207. Inthis manner, a portion of the guide posts 207 and a portion of the firstoutlet port 224 are disposed within the fluid reservoir 270 defined bythe actuator housing 262. Furthermore, with the portion of the firstoutlet port 224 disposed within the fluid reservoir 270, the fluidreservoir 270 (i.e., the second portion of the inner volume 265) is influid communication with the first outlet lumen 225, as described infurther detail herein.

In some embodiments, the transfer device 200 can be stored in a storageconfiguration in which the second control member 235 of the flow controlmechanism 230 fluidically isolates the inlet port 222, the first outletport 224, and the second outlet port 226 from the inner volume 221defined by the diverter 220. In such embodiments, first lumen 238 andthe second lumen 239 are fluidically isolated from the inlet lumen 223,the first outlet lumen 225, and the second outlet lumen 227.Furthermore, the friction fit defined by the second control member 235and the walls of the diverter 220 defining the inner volume 221 maintainthe flow control mechanism 230 in the storage configuration until theflow control mechanism 230 is moved from the storage configuration.

In use, a user can engage the transfer device 200 to couple the inletport 222 to a proximal end portion of a lumen-defining device (notshown) such as, for example, a butterfly needle or, as an additionalexample, surgical tubing coupleable with a Luer-Lok-type connection thatallows for mating to an indwelling catheter or hub or other generalvascular access device(s)/product(s). With the inlet port 222 coupled tothe lumen-defining device the inlet lumen 223 is placed in fluidcommunication with the lumen defined by the lumen-defining device.Furthermore, the distal end portion of the lumen-defining device can bedisposed within a portion of the body of a patient (e.g., a vein), thus,the inlet lumen 223 is in fluid communication with the portion of thebody of the patient. In a similar manner, the second outlet port 226 canbe coupled to an external fluid reservoir (not shown). The externalfluid reservoir can be any suitable reservoir. For example, in someembodiments, the external fluid reservoir can be a BacT/ALERT® SN or aBacT/ALERT® FA, manufactured by BIOMERIEUX, INC.

With the inlet port 222 coupled to the lumen-defining device and thesecond outlet port 226 coupled to the external fluid reservoir, a usercan place the transfer device 200 in the first configuration by applyingan activation force to the actuator mechanism 240, thereby moving atleast a portion of the actuator mechanism 240, the diverter 220, and theflow control mechanism 230 in the distal direction towards the firstconfiguration, as shown by the arrow AA in FIG. 11. More specificallyand as described above, the distal end portion 250 of the plunger 248engages the guide posts 207 of the housing 201. The arrangement of theplunger 248 and the guide posts 207 is such that as the user applies theactivation force to the actuator mechanism 240, the position of theplunger 248, relative to the housing 201, is maintained. Therefore, theactivation force applied by the user moves the actuator housing 262, thecap 255, the diverter 220, and the flow control mechanism 230 in thedirection of the arrow AA, but not the plunger 248. Thus, the distalmovement of the actuator housing 262 is such that a portion of theactivation force is configured to compress the spring 261, and as such,the height of the second portion 267 of the inner volume is reduced. Thecompression of the spring 261 is such that the spring 261 exerts areaction force (e.g., a force of expansion) in response to the portionof the activation force compressing the spring 261. Similarly stated,the spring 261 is configured return to an expanded configuration whenthe activation force is removed.

The distal movement of the actuator housing 262 relative to the plunger248 is such that the height of the fluid reservoir 270 is increased.With the fluid reservoir 270 being fluidically isolated (as describedabove) the increase in the height (i.e., the increase in volume)produces a negative pressure within the fluid reservoir 270.Furthermore, as the actuator mechanism 240 is moved from the storageconfiguration toward the first configuration, the flow controlprotrusions 208 engage the activation protrusions 232 (not shown in FIG.11) included in the first control member 231 to move the flow controlmechanism 230 toward the first configuration, as indicated by the arrowBB. Thus, when the flow control mechanism 230 is moved to the firstconfiguration, the first lumen 238 defined by the second control member235 is placed in fluid communication with the inlet lumen 223 defined bythe inlet port 222 and the first outlet lumen 225 defined by the firstoutlet port 224.

As shown by the arrow CC, the inlet lumen 223 of the inlet port 222, thefirst lumen 238 of the second control member 235, and the first outletlumen 225 of the first outlet port 224 define a fluid flow path suchthat the fluid reservoir 270 defined by the actuator housing 262 is influid communication with the inlet port 222. Furthermore, with the inletport 222 coupled to the lumen-defining device the fluid reservoir 270 ofthe actuator housing 262 is placed in fluid communication with theportion of the patient (e.g., the vein). The negative pressure withinthe fluid reservoir 270 is such that the negative pressure differentialintroduces a suction force within the portion of the patient. In thismanner, a bodily-fluid is drawn into the fluid reservoir 270 of theactuator housing 262. In some embodiments, the bodily-fluid can containundesirable microbes such as, for example, dermally-residing microbes.

In some embodiments, the magnitude of the suction force can be modulatedby increasing or decreasing the amount of activation force applied tothe actuator mechanism 240. For example, in some embodiments, it can bedesirable to limit the amount of suction force (i.e., modulate thenegative pressure during a blood draw) introduced to a vein to reduce,minimize, or even eliminate vein collapse and/or one potential source ofhemolysis. In such embodiments, the user can reduce the amount of forceapplied to the actuator mechanism 240. In this manner, the reactionforce exerted by the expansion of the spring 261 (e.g., as describedabove) is sufficient to overcome a portion of the activation forceapplied by the user. Thus, the spring 261 can expand to move the plunger248 and the housing 201 in the distal direction, relative to theactuator housing 262, the cap 255, the diverter 220, and the flowcontrol mechanism 230. The distal movement of the plunger 248 andhousing 201 is such that the flow control protrusions 208 engage theactivation protrusions 232 of the flow control mechanism 230 to move theflow control mechanism 230 towards the storage configuration. Therotation of the flow control mechanism 230 (e.g., in a directionopposite the arrow BB) reduces the size of the fluid pathway (e.g., aninner diameter) between the inlet lumen 223 and the first lumen 238 andthe first outlet port 225 and the first lumen 238, thereby reducing thesuction force introduced into the vein of the patient.

With the desired amount of bodily-fluid transferred to the fluidreservoir 270 defined by the actuator housing 262, a user can engage thetransfer device 200 to move the transfer device 200 from the firstconfiguration to the second configuration, wherein a flow ofbodily-fluid is transferred to the external reservoir (e.g., such asthose described above). In some embodiments, the desired amount ofbodily-fluid transferred to the actuator housing 262 is a predeterminedamount of fluid. For example, in some embodiments, the transfer device200 can be configured to transfer bodily-fluid until the pressure withinthe fluid reservoir 270 defined by the actuator housing 262 is inequilibrium with the pressure of the portion of the body in which thelumen-defining device is disposed (e.g., the vein). In such embodiments,the equalizing of the pressure between the second portion 176 of theinner volume 265 and the portion of the body stops the flow of thebodily-fluid into the actuator housing 262. In some embodiments, thepredetermined amount of bodily-fluid (e.g., volume) is at least equal tothe combined volume of the inlet lumen 223, the first lumen 238, thefirst outlet lumen 225, and the lumen-defining device.

As shown in FIG. 12, the transfer device 200 can be moved from the firstconfiguration to the second configuration by further moving the actuatormechanism 240 in the distal direction, as indicated by the arrow DD.Expanding further, the user can apply an activation force to theactuator mechanism 240 such that the actuator housing 262, the cap 255,the diverter 220, and the flow control mechanism 230 move in the distaldirection. With the desired amount of the bodily-fluid disposed withinthe fluid reservoir 270 the volume of the fluid reservoir 270 isconfigured to remain constant as the actuator housing 262 and the cap255 move relative to the plunger 248. Similarly stated, the pressure ofthe fluid reservoir 270 is configured to remain substantially unchangedas the transfer device 20 is moved from the first configuration to thesecond configuration.

As the actuator mechanism 240 is moved from the first configurationtoward the second configuration, the flow control protrusions 208 engagethe activation protrusions 232 (not shown in FIG. 12) included in thefirst control member 231 to move the flow control mechanism 230 towardthe second configuration, as indicated by the arrow EE. Thus, when theflow control mechanism 230 is moved to the second configuration, thesecond lumen 239 defined by the second control member 235 is placed influid communication with the inlet lumen 223 defined by the inlet port222 and the second outlet lumen 227 defined by the second outlet port226.

As shown by the arrow FF, the inlet lumen 223 of the inlet port 222, thesecond lumen 239 of the second control member 235, and the second outletlumen 227 of the second outlet port 226 define a fluid flow path suchthat the external reservoir (not shown in FIG. 12) is in fluidcommunication with the inlet port 222 and, therefore, the portion of thepatient (e.g., the vein). Furthermore, the external reservoir isconfigured to define a negative pressure (e.g., the known externalreservoirs referred to herein are vessels defining a negative pressure).The negative pressure within the external reservoir is such that thenegative pressure differential between the external reservoir and theportion of the body of the patient introduces a suction force within theportion of the patient. Therefore, a desired amount of bodily-fluid isdrawn into the external reservoir and is fluidically isolated from thefirst, predetermined amount of bodily-fluid contained within the fluidreservoir 270 defined by the actuator housing 262. In this manner, thebodily-fluid contained in the external reservoir is substantially freefrom microbes generally found outside of the portion of the patient(e.g., dermally residing microbes, microbes within a lumen defined bythe transfer device 200, microbes within the lumen defined by the lumendefining device, and/or any other undesirable microbe(s)). With thedesired amount of bodily-fluid contained in the external fluidreservoir, the user can remove the activation force from the actuatormechanism 240 (e.g., remove the portion of the hand engaging theactuator mechanism 240). With the removal of the activation force, thespring 261 exerts the force of expansion (described above) to move thetransfer device 200 from the second configuration to the storageconfiguration. With the transfer device 200 in the storageconfiguration, the first outlet port 224 is fluidically isolated fromthe first lumen 238 and/or the second lumen 239 of the flow controlmechanism 230. Thus, the bodily-fluid contained within the actuatorhousing 262 is fluidically isolated from a volume outside the actuatorhousing 262 and the external reservoir can be decoupled from thetransfer device 200. In addition, the bodily-fluid contained within theactuator housing 262 is isolated from the patient and the healthcareworker, and can be safely disposed of (e.g., in a biohazard materialscontainer) in a “closed” device.

While the transfer device 200 is shown and described in FIGS. 2-12 asdisposing the diverter 220 within the housing 201, in some embodiments,a transfer device can include a diverter and housing that aremonolithically formed. For example, FIGS. 13-19 illustrate a transferdevice 300 according to an embodiment. FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate thetransfer device 300 in a first configuration. The transfer device 300includes a housing 301, having a diverter 320 and defining a fluidreservoir 370, a flow control mechanism 330, and an actuator 340.

The housing 301 includes a proximal end portion 302 and a distal endportion 303. The distal end portion 303 of the housing 301 includes aset of walls 304 that define a channel 305 configured to receive adistal portion 342 of the actuator 340. The walls 304 can be configuredto define the channel 305 with any suitable shape, size, orconfiguration. For example as shown in FIG. 16, the walls 304 can beconfigured to further define a slot 319 in the channel 305 configured toreceive an activation extension 346 included in the actuator 340 (FIG.15). Similarly stated, the slot 319 can be configured to receive theactivation extension 346 included in the distal portion 342 of theactuator 340, disposed within the channel 305, such that the activationextension 346 can pass through the walls 304 and be disposedsubstantially outside the channel 305, as described in further detailherein.

The walls 304 of the distal end portion 303 of the housing 301 alsoinclude a recessed surface 315 and a stop 313 (FIGS. 15 and 16). Thestop 313 defines a proximal boundary of the channel 305 that can limitthe movement of the actuator 340 within the channel 305. Furthermore,the stop 313 defines a passageway 314 configured to receive a portion ofthe actuator 340 such that the portion of the actuator 340 can extend inthe proximal direction beyond the stop 313, as further described herein.The recessed surface 315 is configured to be a flat surface from whichthe diverter 320 can extend. Similarly stated, the diverter 320 is a setof walls configured to extend perpendicularly from the recessed surface315. In this manner, the diverter 320 receives at least a portion of theflow control mechanism 340, as described in further detail herein. Whileshown and described as extending perpendicularly from the recessedsurface 315, in other embodiments, the diverter 320 can extend from therecessed surface 315 at any suitable angular orientation.

As shown in FIG. 15, the proximal end portion 302 of the housing 301includes a set of walls 318 that extend from the stop 313 in theproximal direction. In this manner, the walls 318 define a tubular shapesubstantially enclosed at the distal end by the stop 313 and open at theproximal end. The walls 318 define a slot 312 and an inner volume 311configured to receive a proximal end portion 341 of the actuator 340. Asfurther described herein, the proximal end portion 302 of the housing301, the stop 313, and the proximal end portion 341 of the actuator 340define a fluid reservoir 370 configured to receive and/or contain abodily fluid.

As shown in FIG. 16, the diverter 320 includes an inlet port 322, afirst outlet port 324, and a second outlet port 326, and defines aninner volume 321. The inner volume 321 is configured to receive at leasta portion of the flow control mechanism 330, as further describedherein. The inlet port 322 of the diverter 320 defines an inlet lumen323. The inlet lumen 323 is configured to be in fluid communication withthe inner volume 321. Similarly stated, the inlet lumen 323 of the inletport 322 extends through a wall defining the inner volume 321 of thediverter 320.

The inlet port 322 is further configured to be fluidically coupled to amedical device (not shown) defining a fluid flow pathway for withdrawingand/or conveying the bodily-fluid from a patient to the transfer device300. For example, the inlet port 322 can be fluidically coupled to aneedle or other lumen-containing device (e.g., flexible sterile tubing).Similarly stated, the inlet lumen 323 defined by the inlet port 322 isplaced in fluid communication with a lumen defined by a lumen-containingdevice, when the lumen-containing device is coupled to the inlet port322. Expanding further, when the lumen-containing device is disposedwithin a portion of a body of the patient (e.g., within a vein of thepatient), the inner volume 321 of the diverter 320 is placed in fluidcommunication with the portion of the body of the patient.

The first outlet port 324 of the diverter 320 defines a first outletlumen 325. The first outlet lumen 325 is configured to be in fluidcommunication with the inner volume 321 of the diverter 320 and thefluid reservoir 370 (described above). Similarly stated, the firstoutlet lumen 325 is configured to extend through the wall defining theinner volume 321 and through a portion of the stop 313 defining thefluid reservoir 370, thereby placing the fluid reservoir 370 in fluidcommunication with the inner volume 321. The second outlet port 326 ofthe diverter 320 defines a second outlet lumen 327 and can be coupled toan external fluid reservoir. In this manner, the second outlet lumen 327can extend through the wall defining the inner volume 321 to be in fluidcommunication with the inner volume 321 and can be fluidically coupledto the external reservoir to place the external fluid reservoir in fluidcommunication with the inner volume 321.

As shown in FIG. 15, the flow control mechanism 330 includes a firstcontrol member 331 and a second control member 335. At least a portionof the flow control mechanism 330 is configured to be disposed withinthe inner volume 321 defined by the diverter 320. In this manner, theflow control mechanism 330 defines a circular cross-sectional shape suchthat when the flow control mechanism 330 is disposed within the innervolume 321, a portion of the flow control mechanism 330 forms a frictionfit with the walls of the diverter 320 defining the inner volume 321, asdescribed in further detail herein.

The first control member 331 includes a set of activation protrusions332 configured to engage a set of protrusion 347 included in theactivation extension 346 of the actuator 340. Therefore, in use, theactuator 340 can engage the activation protrusions 332 to move the flowcontrol mechanism 330 between a first configuration and a secondconfiguration. The second control member 335 defines a first lumen 338and a second lumen 339 and can be formed from any suitable material. Forexample, in some embodiments, the second control member 335 is formedfrom silicone. In other embodiments, the second control member 335 canbe any suitable elastomer configured to deform when disposed within theinner volume 321 of the diverter. Expanding further, the second controlmember 335 has a diameter larger than the diameter of the inner volume321. In the manner, the diameter of the second control member 335 isreduced when the second control member 335 is disposed within the innervolume 321. Thus, the outer surface of the second control member 335forms a friction fit with the inner surface of the walls defining theinner volume 321.

The second control member 335 is configured to be coupled to the firstcontrol member 331. For example, in some embodiments, the first controlmember 331 can be coupled to the second control member 335 via amechanical fastener and/or adhesive. In other embodiments, the firstcontrol member 331 and the second control member 335 can be coupled inany suitable manner. In this manner, the second control member 335 isconfigured to move concurrently with the first control member 331 whenthe activation extension 347 of the actuator 340 engages the activationprotrusions 332 of the first control member 331. Similarly stated, theflow control mechanism 330 is moved between the first configuration andthe second configuration when the first control member 331 and thesecond control member 335 are moved between the first configuration andthe second configuration, respectively. Furthermore, when the flowcontrol mechanism 330 is in the first configuration, the first lumen 338is placed in fluid communication with the inlet lumen 323 defined by theinlet port 322 and the first outlet lumen 325 defined by the firstoutlet port 324. When the flow control mechanism 330 is in the secondconfiguration, the second lumen 339 is placed in fluid communicationwith the inlet lumen 323 defined by the inlet port 322 and the secondoutlet lumen 327 defined by the second outlet port 326, as described infurther detail herein.

As described above, the actuator mechanism 340 includes the proximal endportion 341, the distal end portion 342, and an actuator arm 343therebetween. The actuator mechanism 340 is configured to move between afirst configuration and a second configuration, thereby moving thetransfer device 300 between a first configuration and a secondconfiguration, as described in further detail herein. The proximal endportion 341 includes a plunger 348 configured to be disposed within theinner volume 311 of the housing 301. More particularly, the plunger 348includes a seal member 354 configured to define a friction fit with theinner surface of the walls 318 defining the inner volume 311. Similarlystated, the seal member 354 defines a fluidic seal with the innersurface of the walls 318 defining the inner volume 311 such that aportion of the inner volume 311 proximal of the seal member 354 isfluidically isolated from a portion of the inner volume 311 distal ofthe seal member 354.

The actuator arm 343 is configured to extend from the proximal endportion 341 of the actuator 340 through the passageway 314 defined bythe stop 313. Therefore, as described above, the distal end portion 342of the actuator 340 is disposed on a distal side of the stop 313. Morespecifically, the distal end portion 342 includes an engagement portion344 and the activation portion 346. The engagement portion 344 and atleast a portion (e.g., a distal portion) of the actuator arm 343 areconfigured to be disposed within the channel 305 such that theactivation portion 346 can extend through the slot 319, as describedabove. In this manner, a user can engage the engagement portion 344 tomove the actuator 340 in a distal direction between a firstconfiguration and a second configuration, as further described herein.

In some embodiments, the transfer device 300 can be stored in the firstconfiguration in which the first lumen 338 of the second control member335 is in fluid communication with the inlet port 322 and the firstoutlet port 324. In such embodiments, the friction fit defined by thesecond control member 335 and the walls of the diverter 320 defining theinner volume 321 maintain the flow control mechanism 330 in the firstconfiguration until the actuator 340 moves the flow control mechanism330 to the second configuration.

In use, a user can engage the transfer device 300 to couple the inletport 322 to a proximal end portion of a lumen-defining device (notshown) such as, for example, a butterfly needle. With the inlet port 322coupled to the lumen-defining device the inlet lumen 323 is placed influid communication with the lumen defined by the lumen-defining device.Furthermore, the distal end portion of the lumen-defining device can bedisposed within a portion of the body of a patient (e.g., a vein), thus,the inlet lumen 323 is in fluid communication with the portion of thebody of the patient. In a similar manner, the second outlet port 326 canbe coupled to an external fluid reservoir (not shown). The externalfluid reservoir can be any suitable reservoir. For example, in someembodiments, the external fluid reservoir can be a BacT/ALERT® SN or aBacT/ALERT® FA blood culture collection bottle with media specificallydesigned to facilitate the growth of certain types of microbes (e.g.,aerobic media/broth and/or aerobic mediabroth), manufactured byBIOMERIEUX, INC.

With the inlet port 322 coupled to the lumen-defining device and thesecond outlet port 326 coupled to the external fluid reservoir, a usercan begin the transfer of a bodily-fluid by applying an activation forceto the engagement portion 344 of the actuator 340, thereby moving theactuator 340 the distal direction, as shown by the arrow GG in FIG. 17.More specifically and as described above, the plunger 348 engages theinner surface of the walls 318 defining the inner volume 311 such thatthe volume of the fluid reservoir 370 is increased (e.g., as defined bythe plunger 348, the walls 318 of the housing 301 and the stop 313).With the fluid reservoir 370 being fluidically isolated (as describedabove) from a volume on the proximal side of the seal member 354, theincrease in the volume of the fluid reservoir 370 produces a negativepressure within the fluid reservoir 370. Moreover, with the flow controlmechanism 330 in the first configuration, negative pressure differentialintroduces a suction force within the first lumen 338, the inlet lumen323, and the first outlet lumen 325.

As shown by the arrow HH, the inlet lumen 323 of the inlet port 322, thefirst lumen 338 of the second control member 335, and the first outletlumen 325 of the first outlet port 324 define a fluid flow path suchthat the second portion 376 of the inner volume 373 defined by the fluidreservoir 370 is in fluid communication with the inlet port 322.Furthermore, with the inlet port 322 coupled to the lumen-definingdevice the fluid reservoir 370 is in fluid communication with theportion of the patient (e.g., the vein) and at least a portion of thesuction force is introduced to the portion of the patient. In thismanner, a bodily-fluid is drawn into the fluid reservoir 370. In someembodiments, the bodily-fluid can contain undesirable microbes such as,for example, dermally-residing microbes dislodged during the insertionof the lumen-defining device.

In some embodiments, the magnitude of the suction force can be modulatedby moving the actuator 340 in the proximal or distal direction. Forexample, in some embodiments, it can be desirable to limit the amount ofsuction force introduced to a vein. In such embodiments, the user canmove the actuator 340 in the proximal direction (e.g., the direction ofthe arrow II in FIG. 18) such the activation extension 346 can engagethe protrusions 332 of the first control member 331. In this manner, theprotrusions 347 included in the activation extension 346 can mesh withthe protrusions 332 of the first control member 331 to rotate the firstcontrol member 331 in the direction of the arrow JJ. The rotation of theflow control mechanism 330 (e.g., in a direction opposite the arrow JJ)reduces the size of the fluid pathway (e.g., an inner diameter) betweenthe inlet lumen 323 and the first lumen 338 and the first outlet port325 and the first lumen 338, thereby reducing the suction forceintroduced into the vein of the patient.

With the desired amount of bodily-fluid transferred to the fluidreservoir 370, a user can engage the transfer device 300 to move thetransfer device 300 from the first configuration to the secondconfiguration, wherein a flow of bodily-fluid is transferred to theexternal reservoir (e.g., such as those described above). In someembodiments, the desired amount of bodily-fluid transferred to the fluidreservoir 370 is a predetermined amount of fluid. For example, in someembodiments, the transfer device 300 can be configured to transferbodily-fluid until the pressure within the fluid reservoir 370 isequilibrium with the pressure of the portion of the body in which thelumen-defining device is disposed (e.g., the vein). In such embodiments,the equalizing of the pressure between the fluid reservoir 370 and theportion of the body stops the flow of the bodily-fluid into the fluidreservoir 370. In some embodiments, the predetermined amount ofbodily-fluid (e.g., volume) is at least equal to the combined volume ofthe inlet lumen 323, the first lumen 338, the first outlet lumen 325,and the lumen-defining device.

As shown in FIG. 18, the transfer device 300 can be moved from the firstconfiguration to the second configuration by further moving the actuatormechanism 340 in the distal direction, as indicated by the arrow II. Asthe actuator mechanism 340 is moved from the first configuration towardthe second configuration, the protrusions 347 of the activationextension 346 further engage the activation protrusions 332 included inthe first control member 331 to move the flow control mechanism 330 tothe second configuration, as indicated by the arrow KK in FIG. 19. Inthis manner, the flow control mechanism 330 is moved to the secondconfiguration, and the first lumen 238 is fluidically isolated from theinlet lumen 223 and the first outlet lumen 225. In addition, the secondlumen 339 defined by the second control member 335 is placed in fluidcommunication with the inlet lumen 323 defined by the inlet port 322 andthe second outlet lumen 327 defined by the second outlet port 326.

As shown by the arrow LL, the inlet lumen 323 of the inlet port 322, thesecond lumen 339 of the second control member 335, and the second outletlumen 327 of the second outlet port 326 define a fluid flow path suchthat the external reservoir (not shown in FIG. 19) is in fluidcommunication with the inlet port 322 and, therefore, the portion of thepatient (e.g., the vein). Furthermore, the external reservoir isconfigured to define a negative pressure (e.g., the known externalreservoirs referred to herein are vessels defining a negative pressure).The negative pressure within the external reservoir is such that thenegative pressure differential between the external reservoir and theportion of the body of the patient introduces a suction force within theportion of the patient. Therefore, a desired amount of bodily-fluid isdrawn into the external reservoir and is fluidically isolated from thefirst, predetermined amount of bodily-fluid contained within the fluidreservoir 370.

The bodily-fluid contained in the external reservoir is substantiallyfree from microbes generally found outside of the portion of the patient(e.g., dermally residing microbes, microbes within a lumen defined bythe transfer device 300, microbes within the lumen defined by the lumendefining device, and/or any other undesirable microbe). In someembodiments, with the desired amount of bodily-fluid contained in theexternal fluid reservoir, the user can further move the actuator 340 inthe proximal direction to place the transfer device 300 in a thirdconfiguration. In such embodiments, the actuator 340 can be moved in theproximal direction such that the engagement portion 344 and/or theactivation extension 346 contact the stop 313, thereby limiting furtherproximal movement of the actuator 340. In this configuration, theactuator 340 can place the flow control mechanism 330 in a thirdconfiguration configured to fluidically isolate the first lumen 338 andthe second lumen 339 from the inlet lumen 323, the first outlet lumen325, and the second outlet lumen 327. Thus, the bodily-fluid containedwithin the fluid reservoir 370 is fluidically isolated from a volumeoutside the fluid reservoir 370 and the external reservoir can bedecoupled from the transfer device 300.

While the transfer device 300 is shown and described in FIGS. 13-19 asbeing configured to actuated by continual user influence (e.g., the usermanually moves the actuator 340 in the proximal direction), in someembodiments, a transfer device need not require continual userinfluence. For example, FIGS. 20-26 illustrate a transfer device 400according to an embodiment. FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate the transferdevice 400 in a first configuration. The transfer device 400 includes ahousing 401, having a diverter 420 and defining a fluid reservoir 470, aflow control mechanism 430, and an actuator mechanism 440.

The housing 401 includes a proximal end portion 402 and a distal endportion 403. The distal end portion 403 of the housing 401 includes aset of walls 404 having a recessed portion 415 and a stop 413 (FIGS. 22and 23). The stop 413 defines a distal boundary of the recessed portion415 and defines a passageway 414. The passageway 414 is configured toreceive an activation extension 346 included in the actuator mechanism440 such that the activation extension 346 extends through the stop 413,as further described herein. The recessed portion 415 includes asubstantially flat surface from which the diverter 420 can extend (FIG.22). Similarly stated, the diverter 420 is a set of walls configured toextend perpendicularly from the surface of the recessed portion 415. Inthis manner, the diverter 420 receives at least a portion of the flowcontrol mechanism 430, as described in further detail herein. Whileshown and described as extending perpendicularly from the surface of therecessed portion 415, in other embodiments, the diverter 420 can extendfrom the surface at any suitable angular orientation.

The proximal end portion 402 of the housing 401 includes a set of walls418 that extend from the stop 413 in the proximal direction. In thismanner, the walls 418 define a tubular shape substantially enclosed atthe distal end by the stop 413 and open at the proximal end. Theproximal end portion 402 of the housing 401 can be formed from anysuitable material. For example, in some embodiments, the proximal endportion 402 can be formed from a relatively flexible material. In suchembodiments, the proximal end portion 402 can be configured to deform(e.g., bend, compress, or otherwise reconfigure) under a given force, asdescribed in further detail herein. As shown in FIG. 23, the walls 418include shoulder 416 and retention tabs 417 and define an inner volume411 configured to receive a portion of the actuator mechanism 440. Asfurther described herein, the proximal end portion 402 of the housing401, the stop 413, and a portion of the actuator mechanism 440 define afluid reservoir 470 configured to receive and/or contain a bodily fluid.

As shown in FIG. 23, the diverter 420 includes an inlet port 422, afirst outlet port 424, and a second outlet port 426, and defines aninner volume 421. The inner volume 421 is configured to receive at leasta portion of the flow control mechanism 430, as further describedherein. The inlet port 422 of the diverter 420 defines an inlet lumen423. The inlet lumen 423 is configured to be in fluid communication withthe inner volume 421. Similarly stated, the inlet lumen 423 of the inletport 422 extends through a wall defining the inner volume 421 of thediverter 420.

The inlet port 422 is further configured to be fluidically coupled to amedical device (not shown) defining a fluid flow pathway for withdrawingand/or conveying the bodily-fluid from a patient to the transfer device400. For example, the inlet port 422 can be fluidically coupled to aneedle or other lumen-containing device (e.g., flexible sterile tubing).Similarly stated, the inlet lumen 423 defined by the inlet port 422 isplaced in fluid communication with a lumen defined by a lumen-containingdevice, when the lumen-containing device is coupled to the inlet port422. Expanding further, when the lumen-containing device is disposedwithin a portion of a body of the patient (e.g., within a vein of thepatient), the inner volume 421 of the diverter 420 is placed in fluidcommunication with the portion of the body of the patient.

The first outlet port 424 of the diverter 420 defines a first outletlumen 425. The first outlet lumen 425 is configured to be in fluidcommunication with the inner volume 421 of the diverter 420 and thefluid reservoir 470 (described above). Similarly stated, the firstoutlet lumen 425 is configured to extend through the wall defining theinner volume 421 and through a portion of the stop 413 defining thefluid reservoir 470, thereby placing the fluid reservoir 470 in fluidcommunication with the inner volume 421. The second outlet port 426 ofthe diverter 420 defines a second outlet lumen 427 and is configured tobe coupled to an external fluid reservoir. In this manner, the secondoutlet lumen 427 can extend through the wall defining the inner volume421 to be in fluid communication with the inner volume 421 and can befluidically coupled to the external reservoir to place the externalfluid reservoir in fluid communication with the inner volume 421.

As shown in FIG. 24, the flow control mechanism 430 includes a firstcontrol member 431 and a second control member 435. At least a portionof the flow control mechanism 430 is configured to be disposed withinthe inner volume 421 defined by the diverter 420. In this manner, theflow control mechanism 430 defines a circular cross-sectional shape suchthat when the flow control mechanism 430 is disposed within the innervolume 421, a portion of the flow control mechanism 430 forms a frictionfit with the walls of the diverter 420 defining the inner volume 421, asdescribed in further detail herein.

The first control member 431 includes an activation protrusion 432 andengagement protrusions 433. The activation protrusion 432 is configuredto engage a protrusion 447 included in the activation extension 446 ofthe actuator mechanism 440. Therefore, in use, the actuator mechanism440 can engage the activation protrusion 432 to move the flow controlmechanism 430 between a first configuration and a second configuration.The second control member 435 defines a first lumen 438, a second lumen439, and a set of grooves 437. The second control member 435 can beformed from any suitable material such as, for example, silicone. Inother embodiments, the second control member 435 can be any suitableelastomer configured to deform when disposed within the inner volume 421of the diverter. Expanding further, the second control member 435 has adiameter larger than the diameter of the inner volume 421. In themanner, the diameter of the second control member 435 is reduced whenthe second control member 435 is disposed within the inner volume 421.Thus, the outer surface of the second control member 435 forms afriction fit with the inner surface of the walls defining the innervolume 421.

The grooves 437 defined by the second control member 435 are configuredto receive the engagement protrusions 433. In this manner, the firstcontrol member 431 can selectively engage the second control member 435such that the second control member 435 is moved concurrently with thefirst control member 431 when the activation extension 447 of theactuator mechanism 440 engages the activation protrusion 432 of thefirst control member 431. Similarly stated, the flow control mechanism430 is moved between the first configuration and the secondconfiguration when the first control member 431 and the second controlmember 435 are moved between the first configuration and the secondconfiguration, respectively. Furthermore, when the flow controlmechanism 430 is in the first configuration, the first lumen 438 isplaced in fluid communication with the inlet lumen 423 defined by theinlet port 422 and the first outlet lumen 425 defined by the firstoutlet port 424. When the flow control mechanism 430 is in the secondconfiguration, the second lumen 439 is placed in fluid communicationwith the inlet lumen 423 defined by the inlet port 422 and the secondoutlet lumen 427 defined by the second outlet port 426, as described infurther detail herein.

As shown in FIGS. 22 and 25, the actuator mechanism 440 includes anengagement member 444, the activation extension 446, a plunger 448, anda spring 461. The engagement member 444 is configured to be coupled tothe distal end portion 403 of the housing 401. In this manner, thehousing 401 and the engagement member 444 house the flow controlmechanism 430 and at least a portion of the diverter 420. The engagementmember 444 includes a throttling button 445. The throttling button 445is configured such that when engaged by a user, the throttling button445 interacts with the flow control mechanism 430 to modulate themovement of the flow control mechanism 440, as described in furtherdetail herein.

The plunger 448 includes a proximal end portion 449 and a distal endportion 450 and is configured to be disposed within the inner volume 411defined by the housing 401. The proximal end portion 449 of the plunger448 is configured to selectively engage the retention protrusions 417included in the housing 401. The plunger 448 further includes a sealingmember 454 disposed at the distal end portion 450. The seal member 454is configured to define a friction fit with the inner surface of thewalls 418 defining the inner volume 411. Similarly stated, the sealmember 454 defines a fluidic seal with the inner surface of the walls418 defining the inner volume 411 such that a portion of the innervolume 411 proximal of the seal member 454 is fluidically isolated froma portion of the inner volume 411 distal of the seal member 454.

The spring 461 includes a proximal end portion 462 and a distal endportion 463 and is configured to circumscribe the plunger 448. Similarlystated, the plunger 448 is disposed within the spring 461 when thespring 461 and the plunger 448 are disposed within the housing 401.Furthermore, when disposed within the inner volume 411, the distal endportion 463 of the spring 461 is configured to engage the shoulder 416of the housing 401 and the proximal end portion 462 is configured toengage the proximal end portion 449 of the plunger 448. In this manner,the spring 461, when urged to move from a first (compressed)configuration to a second (expanded) configuration, is configured tomove the plunger 448 in the proximal direction, as described in furtherdetail herein.

The activation extension 446 can be any suitable size, shape orconfiguration. For example, as shown in FIG. 22, the activationextension 446 can be a flexible tether formed from, for example, nylon.In this manner, the activation extension 446 can be substantiallyflexible in a lateral direction and substantially rigid in an axialdirection. Similarly stated, in some embodiments, the activationextension 446 is configured to bend, twist, conform, and/or otherwisereconfigure without stretching. Said yet another way, the length of theactivation extension 446 is configured to remain substantially unchangedas the activation extension 446 is bent or otherwise reconfigured.

The activation extension 446 is configured to be coupled to the distalend portion 450 of the plunger 448. More specifically, a proximal endportion of the activation extension 446 is disposed within the innervolume 411 of the housing 401 and is coupled to the plunger 448 and adistal end portion of the activation extension 446 passes through thestop 413 and is disposed within the recessed portion 415 of the housing401. In this manner, the activation extension 446 is configured engagethe activation protrusion 432 of the first control member 431 to movethe flow control mechanism 430 between the first configuration and thesecond configuration, as described in further detail herein.

In some embodiments, the transfer device 400 can be stored in a storageconfiguration in which the second control member 435 of the flow controlmechanism 430 fluidically isolates the inlet port 422, the first outletport 424, and the second outlet port 426 from the inner volume 421defined by the diverter 420. In such embodiments, first lumen 438 andthe second lumen 439 are fluidically isolated from the inlet lumen 423,the first outlet lumen 425, and the second outlet lumen 427.Furthermore, the friction fit defined by the second control member 435and the walls of the diverter 420 defining the inner volume 421 maintainthe flow control mechanism 430 in the storage configuration until theflow control mechanism 430 is moved from the storage configuration.

In use, a user can engage the transfer device 40 to couple the inletport 422 to a proximal end portion of a lumen-defining device (notshown) such as, for example, a butterfly needle. With the inlet port 422coupled to the lumen-defining device the inlet lumen 423 is placed influid communication with the lumen defined by the lumen-defining device.Furthermore, the distal end portion of the lumen-defining device can bedisposed within a portion of the body of a patient (e.g., a vein), thus,the inlet lumen 423 is in fluid communication with the portion of thebody of the patient. In a similar manner, the second outlet port 426 canbe coupled to an external fluid reservoir (not shown). The externalfluid reservoir can be any suitable reservoir. For example, in someembodiments, the external fluid reservoir can be a BacT/ALERT® SN or aBacT/ALERT® FA, manufactured by BIOMERIEUX, INC.

With the inlet port 422 coupled to the lumen-defining device and thesecond outlet port 426 coupled to the external fluid reservoir, a usercan begin a transfer of a bodily-fluid by applying an activation forceto the transfer device 400. More specifically, the user can introduce anactivation force to the proximal end portion 402 of the housing 401 bysqueezing, for example, the sides of the proximal end portion 402 suchthat the proximal end portion 402 deforms in response to the activationforce, as described above. Thus, the proximal end portion 402 is urged(in response to the activation force) to reconfigure such that theretention tabs 417 are removed from contact with the proximal endportion 449 of the plunger 448. Expanding further, the retention tabs417 are configured to apply a reaction force to the proximal end portion449 of the plunger 448 in response to an expansion force exerted by thespring 461, thereby maintaining the spring 461 in the compressedconfiguration. With the retention tabs 417 removed from contact with theplunger 448 and with the distal end portion 463 of the spring 461 incontact with the shoulder 416 of the housing 401, the proximal endportion 462 of the spring 462 expands to move the plunger 448 in thedirection of the arrow MM in FIG. 25.

As described above, the plunger 448 engages the inner surface of thewalls 418 defining the inner volume 411 such that the volume of thefluid reservoir 470 is increased (e.g., as defined by the plunger 448,the walls 418 of the housing 401 and the stop 413). With the fluidreservoir 470 being fluidically isolated (as described above) from avolume on the proximal side of the seal member 454, the increase in thevolume of the fluid reservoir 470 produces a negative pressure withinthe fluid reservoir 470. Moreover, movement of the plunger 448 in theproximal direction is such that the activation extension 446 is moved inthe proximal direction. In this manner, the protrusion 447 of theactivation extension 446 engages the protrusion 432 of the first controlmember 431 to move the flow control mechanism 430 from the storageconfiguration to the first configuration, as indicated by the arrow NN.With the flow control mechanism 430 in the first configuration, thenegative pressure of the fluid reservoir 470 introduces a suction forcewithin the first lumen 438, the inlet lumen 423, and the first outletlumen 425.

As shown by the arrow OO, the inlet lumen 423 of the inlet port 422, thefirst lumen 438 of the second control member 435, and the first outletlumen 425 of the first outlet port 424 define a fluid flow path suchthat the second portion 476 of the inner volume 473 defined by the fluidreservoir 470 is in fluid communication with the inlet port 422.Furthermore, with the inlet port 422 coupled to the lumen-definingdevice the fluid reservoir 470 is in fluid communication with theportion of the patient (e.g., the vein) and at least a portion of thesuction force is introduced to the portion of the patient. In thismanner, a bodily-fluid is drawn into the fluid reservoir 470. In someembodiments, the bodily-fluid can contain undesirable microbes such as,for example, dermally-residing microbes dislodged during the insertionof the lumen-defining device.

In some embodiments, the rate of expansion of the spring 461 can bemodulated by engaging the throttling button 445 included in theengagement portion 444 of the actuator mechanism 440. For example, insome embodiments, it can be desirable to limit the amount of suctionforce introduced to a vein. In such embodiments, the user can exert aforce on the throttling button 445 such that the throttling button 445is moved to engage the flow control mechanism 430. In this manner, thethrottling button 445 can increase the friction between, for example,the second control member 435 and the walls defining the inner volume421 of the diverter. Thus, the increase in friction between the secondcontrol member 435 and the walls defining the inner volume 411 resistthe force exerted by the activation extension 446, thereby slowing therate of expansion of the spring. In this manner, the reduction ofpressure (e.g., the increase in negative pressure) of the fluidreservoir 470 can be controlled to maintain a desired pressuredifferential between the vein and the fluid reservoir 470 and limit thesuction force introduced to the vein.

In some embodiments, the user can depress the throttling button 445 tomaintain the transfer device 400 in the first configuration. With thedesired amount of bodily-fluid transferred to the fluid reservoir 470, auser can disengage the throttling button 445 to disengage the throttlingbutton 445 from the flow control mechanism 430. In this manner, thefriction between the second control member 435 and the walls definingthe inner volume 411 is reduced and the force of expansion exerted bythe spring is sufficient to again overcome the friction between thesecond control member 435 and the walls defining the inner volume 411.Therefore, the transfer device 400 is moved 400 from the firstconfiguration to the second configuration, wherein a flow ofbodily-fluid is transferred to the external reservoir (e.g., such asthose described above).

In some embodiments, the desired amount of bodily-fluid transferred tothe fluid reservoir 470 is a predetermined amount of fluid. For example,in some embodiments, the transfer device 400 can be configured totransfer bodily-fluid until the pressure within the fluid reservoir 470is equilibrium with the pressure of the portion of the body in which thelumen-defining device is disposed (e.g., the vein). In such embodiments,the equalizing of the pressure between the fluid reservoir 470 and theportion of the body stops the flow of the bodily-fluid into the fluidreservoir 470. In some embodiments, the predetermined amount ofbodily-fluid (e.g., volume) is at least equal to the combined volume ofthe inlet lumen 423, the first lumen 438, the first outlet lumen 425,and the lumen-defining device.

As described above, the transfer device 400 is moved from the firstconfiguration to the second configuration by further moving the plunger448 in the distal direction. As the plunger 448 is moved from the firstconfiguration toward the second configuration, the protrusions 447 ofthe activation extension 446 further engage the activation protrusions432 included in the first control member 431 to move the flow controlmechanism 430 to the second configuration, as indicated by the arrow PPin FIG. 26. In this manner, the flow control mechanism 430 is moved tothe second configuration, and the first lumen 438 is fluidicallyisolated from the inlet lumen 423 and the first outlet lumen 425. Inaddition, the second lumen 439 defined by the second control member 435is placed in fluid communication with the inlet lumen 423 defined by theinlet port 422 and the second outlet lumen 427 defined by the secondoutlet port 426.

As shown by the arrow QQ in FIG. 27, the inlet lumen 423 of the inletport 422, the second lumen 439 of the second control member 435, and thesecond outlet lumen 427 of the second outlet port 426 define a fluidflow path such that the external reservoir (not shown in FIG. 19) is influid communication with the inlet port 422 and, therefore, the portionof the patient (e.g., the vein). Furthermore, the external reservoir isconfigured to define a negative pressure (e.g., the known externalreservoirs referred to herein are vessels defining a negative pressure).The negative pressure within the external reservoir is such that thenegative pressure differential between the external reservoir and theportion of the body of the patient introduces a suction force within theportion of the patient. In some embodiments, the user can engagethrottling button 445 to again increase the friction between the secondcontrol member 435 and the walls defining the inner volume 411. In thismanner, further expansion of the spring 461 is limited and a desiredamount of bodily-fluid can be drawn into the external reservoir suchthat the desired amount of bodily fluid is fluidically isolated from thefirst, predetermined amount of bodily-fluid contained within the fluidreservoir 470.

The bodily-fluid contained in the external reservoir is substantiallyfree from microbes generally found outside of the portion of the patient(e.g., dermally-residing microbes, microbes within a lumen defined bythe transfer device 400, microbes within the lumen defined by the lumendefining device, and/or any other undesirable microbe). In someembodiments, with the desired amount of bodily-fluid contained in theexternal fluid reservoir, the user can disengage the throttling button445 such that the transfer device returns to the storage configuration.As described above, in this configuration the actuator mechanism 440 canplace the flow control mechanism 430 in a third configuration configuredto fluidically isolate the first lumen 438 and the second lumen 439 fromthe inlet lumen 423, the first outlet lumen 425, and the second outletlumen 427. Thus, the bodily-fluid contained within the fluid reservoir470 is fluidically isolated from a volume outside the fluid reservoir470 and the external reservoir can be decoupled from the transfer device400.

While the transfer device 400 is described above with reference to FIGS.20-27 as being stored in a storage configuration, in some embodiments, atransfer device can be stored in a first configuration (e.g., defining aflow path between an inlet port and a fluid reservoir). For example,FIGS. 28 and 29 illustrate a transfer device 500 according to anembodiment. In some embodiments, aspects of the transfer device 500 canbe substantially similar to corresponding aspects of the transfer device200. In this manner, details of certain aspects are not described infurther detail herein and it should be understood that such aspects aresubstantially similar in form or function to the corresponding aspects.

The transfer device 500 includes a housing 501, a diverter 520, a flowcontrol mechanism 530, and an actuator 540. The housing 501 includes aproximal end portion 502 and a distal end portion 503. The proximal endportion 502 defines an inner volume configured to receive at least aportion of the actuator mechanism 540, as described in further detailherein. The distal end portion 503 of the housing 501 includes thediverter 520. Similarly stated, the diverter 520 is monolithicallyformed with the distal end portion 503 of the housing 501. The diverter520 receives at least a portion of the flow control mechanism 530, asdescribed in further detail herein.

As shown in FIG. 28, the diverter 520 includes an inlet port 522, afirst outlet port 524, and a second outlet port 526, and defines aninner volume 521. The inner volume 521 is configured to receive at leasta portion of the flow control mechanism 530, as further describedherein. The inlet port 522 of the diverter 520 defines an inlet lumen523. The inlet lumen 523 is configured to be in fluid communication withthe inner volume 521. Similarly stated, the inlet lumen 523 of the inletport 522 extends through a wall defining the inner volume 521 of thediverter 520.

The flow control mechanism 530 includes a first control member 531 and asecond control member 535. At least a portion of the flow controlmechanism 530 is configured to be disposed within the inner volume 521defined by the diverter 520. In this manner, the flow control mechanism530 defines a circular cross-sectional shape such that when the flowcontrol mechanism 530 is disposed within the inner volume 521, a portionof the flow control mechanism 530 forms a friction fit with the walls ofthe diverter 520 defining the inner volume 521, as described in furtherdetail herein.

The first control member 53 is configured to engage an activationextension 546 of the actuator mechanism 540 and move between a firstconfiguration and a second configuration. The second control member 535defines a first lumen 538 and a second lumen 539 and is configured to becoupled to the first control member 531. Therefore, the second controlmember 535 is configured to move concurrently with the first controlmember 531 when the activation extension 546 engages the first controlmember 531. Similarly stated, the flow control mechanism 530 is movedbetween the first configuration and the second configuration when thefirst control member 531 and the second control member 535 are movedbetween the first configuration and the second configuration,respectively. Furthermore, when the flow control mechanism 530 is in thefirst configuration, the first lumen 538 is placed in fluidcommunication with the inlet lumen 523 defined by the inlet port 522 andthe first outlet lumen 525 defined by the first outlet port 524. Whenthe flow control mechanism 530 is in the second configuration, thesecond lumen 539 is placed in fluid communication with the inlet lumen523 defined by the inlet port 522 and the second outlet lumen 527defined by the second outlet port 526, as described in further detailherein.

The actuator mechanism 540 is configured to move between a firstconfiguration and a second configuration, thereby moving the transferdevice 500 between a first configuration and a second configuration, asdescribed in further detail herein. The actuator mechanism 540 includesa plunger 548 and the activation extension 546. The plunger 548 includesa proximal end portion 549, a distal end portion 550, and an engagementportion 544 and is configured to be disposed, at least partially withinthe inner volume 511 of the housing 501. The engagement portion 544 isconfigured to extend in the distal direction from the proximal endportion 549 of the plunger 548. In this manner, the engagement portion544 can be engaged by a user to move the actuator mechanism 540 betweenthe first configuration and the second configuration, as described infurther detail herein.

The distal end portion 550 of the plunger 548 includes a seal member 554configured to define a friction fit with the inner surface of the wallsdefining the inner volume 511. Similarly stated, the seal member 554defines a fluidic seal with the inner surface of the walls defining theinner volume 511 such that a portion of the inner volume 511 proximal ofthe seal member 554 is fluidically isolated from a portion of the innervolume 511 distal of the seal member 554. Furthermore, the portion ofthe inner volume 511 distal of the seal member 554 defines a fluidreservoir 570. Similarly stated, the fluid reservoir 570 defined by thewalls defining the inner volume 511 and the seal member 554 of theplunger 548.

The activation extension 546 includes a protrusion 547 configured toselectively engage the proximal end portion 549 of the plunger 548. Inthis manner, the proximal end portion 549 of the plunger 548 can movethe activation extension 546 when the plunger 548 moves from a firstconfiguration to a second configuration, as further described herein.

As described above, the transfer device 500 is stored in the firstconfiguration in which the first lumen 538 of the second control member535 is in fluid communication with the inlet port 522 and the firstoutlet port 524. In such embodiments, the friction fit defined by thesecond control member 535 and the walls of the diverter 520 defining theinner volume 521 maintain the flow control mechanism 530 in the firstconfiguration until the actuator 540 moves the flow control mechanism530 to the second configuration.

In use, a user can engage the transfer device 500 to couple the inletport 522 to a proximal end portion of a lumen-defining device (notshown) such as, for example, a butterfly needle. With the inlet port 522coupled to the lumen-defining device the inlet lumen 523 is placed influid communication with the lumen defined by the lumen-defining device.Furthermore, the distal end portion of the lumen-defining device can bedisposed within a portion of the body of a patient (e.g., a vein), thus,the inlet lumen 523 is in fluid communication with the portion of thebody of the patient. In a similar manner, the second outlet port 526 canbe coupled to an external fluid reservoir (not shown).

With the inlet port 522 coupled to the lumen-defining device and thesecond outlet port 526 coupled to the external fluid reservoir, a usercan begin the transfer of a bodily-fluid by applying an activation forceto the engagement portion 544 of the actuator 540, thereby moving theplunger 548 in the distal direction, as shown by the arrow RR in FIG.28. More specifically and as described above, the plunger 548 engagesthe inner surface of the walls defining the inner volume 511 such thatthe volume of the fluid reservoir 570 is increased (e.g., as defined bythe plunger 548 and the housing 501). With the fluid reservoir 570 beingfluidically isolated (as described above) from a volume on the proximalside of the seal member 554, the increase in the volume of the fluidreservoir 570 produces a negative pressure within the fluid reservoir570. Moreover, with the flow control mechanism 530 in the firstconfiguration, negative pressure differential introduces a suction forcewithin the first lumen 538, the inlet lumen 523, and the first outletlumen 525.

As shown by the arrow SS, the inlet lumen 523 of the inlet port 522, thefirst lumen 538 of the second control member 535, and the first outletlumen 525 of the first outlet port 524 define a fluid flow path suchthat the second portion 576 of the inner volume 573 defined by the fluidreservoir 570 is in fluid communication with the inlet port 522.Furthermore, with the inlet port 522 coupled to the lumen-definingdevice the fluid reservoir 570 is in fluid communication with theportion of the patient (e.g., the vein) and at least a portion of thesuction force is introduced to the portion of the patient. In thismanner, a bodily-fluid is drawn into the fluid reservoir 570. In someembodiments, the bodily-fluid can contain undesirable microbes such as,for example, dermally-residing microbes dislodged during the insertionof the lumen-defining device.

As shown in FIG. 28, the actuator mechanism 540 is configured such thatthe proximal end portion 549 of the plunger 548 is spaced apart from theprotrusion 547 of the activation extension 546. In this manner, theplunger 548 can move in the proximal direction without engaging theprotrusion 547 of the activation extension 546. Thus, the plunger 548can move to introduce the change of the volume in the fluid reservoir570 without the activation extension 546 moving the first control member531 from the first configuration toward the second configuration.Therefore, the transfer device 500 can be stored in the firstconfiguration, as described above.

With a desired amount of bodily-fluid transferred to the fluid reservoir570, a user can move the transfer device 500 from the firstconfiguration to the second configuration, wherein a flow ofbodily-fluid is transferred to the external reservoir (e.g., such asthose described above). In some embodiments, the desired amount ofbodily-fluid transferred to the fluid reservoir 570 is a predeterminedamount of fluid. For example, in some embodiments, the transfer device500 can be configured to transfer bodily-fluid until the pressure withinthe fluid reservoir 570 is equilibrium with the pressure of the portionof the body in which the lumen-defining device is disposed (e.g., thevein). In such embodiments, the equalizing of the pressure between thefluid reservoir 570 and the portion of the body stops the flow of thebodily-fluid into the fluid reservoir 570. In some embodiments, thepredetermined amount of bodily-fluid (e.g., volume) is at least equal tothe combined volume of the inlet lumen 523, the first lumen 538, thefirst outlet lumen 525, and the lumen-defining device.

As shown in FIG. 29, the transfer device 500 can be moved from the firstconfiguration to the second configuration by further moving the actuatormechanism 540 in the distal direction, as indicated by the arrow TT. Asthe actuator mechanism 540 is moved from the first configuration towardthe second configuration, the protrusions 547 of the activationextension 546 is engaged by the proximal end portion 549 of the plunger548 such that the activation extension 546 is moved in the direction TT.Furthermore, the proximal motion of the activation extension 546 movesthe first control member 331 and places the flow control mechanism 530in the second configuration, as indicated by the arrow UU. In thismanner, the first lumen 538 is fluidically isolated from the inlet lumen523 and the first outlet lumen 525. In addition, the second lumen 539defined by the second control member 535 is placed in fluidcommunication with the inlet lumen 523 defined by the inlet port 522 andthe second outlet lumen 527 defined by the second outlet port 526.

As shown by the arrow VV, the inlet lumen 523 of the inlet port 522, thesecond lumen 539 of the second control member 535, and the second outletlumen 527 of the second outlet port 526 define a fluid flow path suchthat the external reservoir (not shown in FIGS. 28 and 29) is in fluidcommunication with the inlet port 522 and, therefore, the portion of thepatient (e.g., the vein). Furthermore, the external reservoir isconfigured to define a negative pressure (e.g., the known externalreservoirs referred to herein are vessels defining a negative pressure).The negative pressure within the external reservoir is such that thenegative pressure differential between the external reservoir and theportion of the body of the patient introduces a suction force within theportion of the patient. Therefore, a desired amount of bodily-fluid isdrawn into the external reservoir and is fluidically isolated from thefirst, predetermined amount of bodily-fluid contained within the fluidreservoir 570.

The bodily-fluid contained in the external reservoir is substantiallyfree from microbes generally found outside of the portion of the patient(e.g., dermally residing microbes, microbes within a lumen defined bythe transfer device 500, microbes within the lumen defined by the lumendefining device, and/or any other undesirable microbe). As describedabove, the bodily-fluid contained within the fluid reservoir 570 isfluidically isolated from a volume outside the fluid reservoir 570 andthe external reservoir can be decoupled from the transfer device 500.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example only, and notlimitation. Where methods and steps described above indicate certainevents occurring in certain order, those of ordinary skill in the arthaving the benefit of this disclosure would recognize that the orderingof certain steps may be modified and that such modifications are inaccordance with the variations of the invention. Additionally, certainof the steps may be performed concurrently in a parallel process whenpossible, as well as performed sequentially as described above.Additionally, certain steps may be partially completed and/or omittedbefore proceeding to subsequent steps.

While various embodiments have been particularly shown and described,various changes in form and details may be made. Although variousembodiments have been described as having particular features and/orcombinations of components, other embodiments are possible having anycombination or sub-combination of any features and/or components fromany of the embodiments described herein. For example, while the notshown in FIGS. 28 and 29, in some embodiments, the transfer device 500can include a throttling button, similar in form and function to thethrottling button 445 included in the transfer device 400.

The specific configurations of the various components can also bevaried. For example, the size and specific shape of the variouscomponents can be different than the embodiments shown, while stillproviding the functions as described herein. More specifically, the sizeand shape of the various components can be specifically selected for adesired rate of bodily-fluid flow into a fluid reservoir.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A blood transfer device for obtaining bloodsamples having reduced contamination, the blood transfer devicecomprising: a housing having an inlet configured to be fluidicallycoupled to a patient and an outlet; a fluid reservoir positioned withinand at least partially defined by the housing; and a seal memberpositioned within the housing and at least partially defining the fluidreservoir, the blood transfer device configured to: allow a first volumeof blood to flow from the inlet, through a portion of the fluidreservoir, and toward the seal member; automatically sequester the firstvolume of blood in the fluid reservoir; and after sequestering the firstvolume of blood, allow a second volume of blood to flow from the inlettoward the outlet via a sampling flow path while bypassing the fluidreservoir and the first volume of blood sequestered therein.
 2. Theblood transfer device of claim 1, wherein the blood transfer device isconfigured to allow, in a first state, the first volume of blood to flowfrom the inlet toward the fluid reservoir and, in a second state, thesecond volume of blood to flow from the inlet toward the outlet via thesampling flow path.
 3. The blood transfer device of claim 2, wherein theseal member causes the blood transfer device to automatically transitionfrom the first state to the second state when the first volume of bloodsubstantially fills the fluid reservoir.
 4. The blood transfer device ofclaim 1, wherein the seal member is configured to create a substantiallyfluid tight seal with a surface of the housing that enables a pressuredifferential to be formed within at least a portion of the housing. 5.The blood transfer device of claim 1, wherein the outlet is configuredto be fluidically coupled to a sample vessel (1) positioned outside ofthe housing and (2) configured to create a pressure differential withinthe housing, the blood transfer device further configured to provide thesecond volume of blood through the outlet and into the sample vesselwhen the sample vessel creates the pressure differential within thehousing.
 6. A blood transfer device for obtaining blood samples havingreduced contamination, the blood transfer device comprising: a housinghaving an inlet configured to be fluidically coupled to a patient and anoutlet; a fluid reservoir at least partially formed by an inner surfaceof the housing, the fluid reservoir configured to receive a first volumeof blood from the inlet via a first flow path; and a seal member incontact with the inner surface of the housing, the seal member defininga portion of the fluid reservoir toward which the first volume of bloodflows after entering the fluid reservoir, the blood transfer deviceconfigured to, in response to the first volume of blood being receivedin the fluid reservoir: automatically sequester the first volume ofblood in the fluid reservoir, and allow a second volume of blood to flowfrom the inlet toward the outlet via a second flow path while bypassingthe fluid reservoir and the first volume of blood sequestered therein.7. The blood transfer device of claim 6, wherein the blood transferdevice is configured to allow, in a first state, the first volume ofblood to flow from the inlet to the fluid reservoir via the first flowpath and, in a second state, the second volume of blood to flow from theinlet toward the outlet via the second flow path.
 8. The blood transferdevice of claim 7, wherein the seal member automatically changes bloodflow direction in the blood transfer device from the first flow path tothe second flow path when the first volume of blood substantially fillsthe fluid reservoir.
 9. The blood transfer device of claim 7, whereinthe blood transfer device changes from the first state to the secondstate when the first volume of blood substantially fills the fluidreservoir.
 10. The blood transfer device of claim 6, wherein the outletis configured to be fluidically coupled to a sample vessel (1)positioned outside of the housing and (2) configured to create apressure differential within the housing, the blood transfer devicefurther configured to provide the second volume of blood through theoutlet and into the sample vessel when the sample vessel creates thepressure differential within the housing.
 11. A blood transfer devicefor obtaining blood samples having reduced contamination, the bloodtransfer device comprising: a housing having an inlet configured to befluidically coupled to a patient and an outlet; a fluid reservoirpositioned within and contained by the housing; and a seal memberpositioned in and contacting the housing to be in at least partial fluidcommunication with the fluid reservoir, the blood transfer deviceconfigured, in a first state, to receive a first volume of blood fromthe inlet, through at least a portion of the fluid reservoir, and towardthe seal member, the blood transfer device configured to automaticallytransition to a second state when the first volume of blood is disposedwithin the fluid reservoir, the blood transfer device configured, in thesecond state, to allow a second volume of blood to flow from the inlettoward the outlet via a sampling flow path while bypassing the fluidreservoir and the first volume of blood contained therein.
 12. The bloodtransfer device of claim 11, wherein the seal member causes the bloodtransfer device to automatically transition from the first state to thesecond state when the first volume of blood is disposed within the fluidreservoir.
 13. The blood transfer device of claim 11, wherein the bloodtransfer device automatically transitions from the first state to thesecond state when the first volume of blood substantially fills thefluid reservoir.
 14. The blood transfer device of claim 11, wherein theseal member is configured to create a substantially fluid tight sealwith a surface of the housing that enables a pressure differential to beformed within at least a portion of the housing.
 15. The blood transferdevice of claim 11, wherein the outlet is configured to be fluidicallycoupled to a sample vessel (1) positioned outside of the housing and (2)configured to create a pressure differential within the housing, theblood transfer device further configured to, in the second state,provide the second volume of blood through the outlet and into thesample vessel when the sample vessel creates the pressure differentialwithin the housing.
 16. A blood transfer device for obtaining bloodsamples having reduced contamination, the blood transfer devicecomprising: a housing having an inlet configured to be fluidicallycoupled to a patient and an outlet; and a seal member positioned in thehousing and in contact with a wall of the housing to form asubstantially fluid tight seal with the wall, the blood transfer deviceconfigured to, in a first state, receive a first volume of blood fromthe inlet, through a first flow path, and toward the seal member, theblood transfer device configured to, in a second state, sequester thefirst volume of blood in a fluid reservoir positioned within the housingand, after sequestering the first volume of blood, allow a second volumeof blood to flow from the inlet toward the outlet of the housing via asecond flow path while bypassing the fluid reservoir and the firstvolume of blood sequestered therein.
 17. The blood transfer device ofclaim 16, wherein the seal member is configured to cause the bloodtransfer device to transition from the first state to the second state.18. The blood transfer device of claim 16, wherein the blood transferdevice is configured to transition from the first state to the secondstate when the first volume of blood substantially fills the fluidreservoir.
 19. The blood transfer device of claim 16, wherein the firstfluid flow path includes a channel within the housing that is separatefrom the second fluid flow path.
 20. The blood transfer device of claim16, wherein the outlet is configured to be fluidically coupled to asample vessel positioned outside of the housing and configured to createa pressure differential within the housing, the blood transfer devicefurther configured to, in the second state, provide the second volume ofblood through the outlet and into the sample vessel when the samplevessel creates the pressure differential within the housing.